DUBAI // Police are stepping up patrols around the emirate ahead of the Eid Al Adha holidays.
More than 500 patrols will take to the roads this week, said Dubai Police chief Maj Gen Khamis Al Muzeina.
Female officers will also be on duty in areas where there is a high number of women, such as in the parks.
There will be 216 patrols by Criminal Investigation Department officers and another 167 by plain-clothed officers.
Maj Gen Khalil Al Mansouri, head of CID, said a mobile police station will also move around tourist areas.
He urged visitors and residents to abide by the law and not leave belongings unattended on beaches. Residents heading overseas can register their villas with the security housing programme.
Col Jamal Al Bannai, acting director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, said 189 patrol cars will manage traffic near markets and congestion hotspots.
Police patrols will cover highways including Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed Road, Emirates Road, the Dubai-Al Ain Road, Ras Al Khor, and Al Khawaneej.
Officers will also be monitoring residential areas and mosques.
Col Al Bannai said jaywalking would not be tolerated.
“The traffic department will double its efforts during the Eid Al Adha holiday to ensure everyone’s safety,” he said.
“We hope that everything will run smoothly over this period and that there will be a decrease in road incidents.”
Isnad teams, special police units that target reckless driving in Dubai, will also be dispatched during Eid.
Col Al Bannai reminded motorists to be careful and to avoid speeding, reckless driving and overtaking on the hard shoulder.
The emirate’s safety measures also extend beyond land, with 70 divers, 23 rescue boats and 72 police jet-skis at the ready.
Maj Ali Al Naqbi, director of the Maritime Rescue Department, said all units would be on high alert over the holiday period.
Maj Al Naqbi also warned people against entering the sea if they see the red warning flag flying.
Even if the weather is calm, residents should not swim more than 300 to 500 metres from the shoreline.
Other emirates will also be enforcing extra security measures during Eid.
Brig Mohammed Ahmed bin Ghanim Al Kaabi, Fujairah Police chief, said additional security and traffic patrols will be on duty.
“We will also focus on tourist places, where many people frequent during the holidays,” he said.
Brig Al Kaabi urged that motorists drive carefully.
The Eid Al Adha break for staff at government ministries and federal organisations will start on Wednesday. Work will resume on Sunday.
Private sector workers start their holiday on Wednesday and return on Saturday.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae